On Monday, 18 riders gathered at the Red Bull Ring for the second and final in-season Pirelli MotoGP tyre test open to race riders before the complete 2027 grid assembles in Valencia. Pirelli showcased an array of soft, medium, and hard slick tyre compounds as it advances its tyre lineup, which will replace Michelin in MotoGP starting next season.
The session featured the latest 850cc prototypes from all five manufacturers alongside some modified current-generation 1000cc bikes. Returning from the June test in the Czech Republic were Toprak Razgatlioglu, Raul Fernandez, Pedro Acosta, Fermin Aldeguer, Marco Bezzecchi, and Marc Marquez. Notably absent were outgoing HRC riders Luca Marini and Joan Mir, who were replaced by LCR teammates Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira, both signed for 2027.
Despite transitioning to WorldSBK next season, Jack Miller, Brad Binder, and Franco Morbidelli made their Pirelli test debuts, although the latter likely stepped in for Nicolo Bulega, who withdrew to focus on his WorldSBK title defense. Maverick Vinales joined the test as he assessed his shoulder injury with hopes of returning to MotoGP at Motegi.
Current Moto2 competitors and incoming 2027 rookies Senna Agius and Izan Guevara participated, while David Alonso and Dani Holgado did not attend. Bulega, a Ducati development standout, opted out to prioritize his upcoming WorldSBK championship challenge.
The test remained closed to the media with no official lap times released, leaving unclear which riders used the 850cc prototypes versus the adapted 1000cc machines. This decision may frustrate some riders awaiting their chance to test Pirelli tyres due to team changes for 2027 — including Pecco Bagnaia, Fabio di Giannantonio, Fabio Quartararo, Alex Marquez, Jorge Martin, Ai Ogura, and Enea Bastianini. Acosta stands out as the only rider switching MotoGP manufacturers to attend both Pirelli tests.
Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director Giorgio Barbier stated that the Red Bull Ring session marked significant progress in developing their tyre range for the 2027 MotoGP season. He praised the valuable feedback from riders, especially rookies, who tested various compounds on future 850cc motorcycles and modified 1000cc bikes. The overall impressions confirmed strong grip and stability from the prototypes, helping refine the upcoming tyre lineup.
The full list of test riders by manufacturer was:
- Honda: Johann Zarco, Diogo Moreira, Takaaki Nakagami
- Yamaha: Toprak Razgatlioglu, Jack Miller, Izan Guevara, Augusto Fernandez
- Ducati: Marc Marquez, Franco Morbidelli, Fermin Aldeguer
- Aprilia: Marco Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez, Lorenzo Savadori
- KTM: Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Pol Espargaro, Maverick Vinales, Senna Agius
Looking ahead, private testing of the 850cc machines and Pirelli tyres will continue. However, the next official test involving all race riders is scheduled for December 1 at Valencia, two days after the season finale. This event will be the first Pirelli test featuring the complete 2027 MotoGP grid and will include official timing for the first time.
Fan Take: This development is crucial for racing enthusiasts as it signals the dawn of a new tyre era in MotoGP, which can dramatically influence race dynamics and competitiveness. Seeing top riders and rookies provide real-world feedback on Pirelli’s tyres offers a glimpse into how the sport’s performance and strategies may evolve in 2027 and beyond.
Source: www.crash.net
